You are my LORD. every good thing I have comes from You. Psalm 16:2
Is Jesus a Crutch?
The first time I heard someone say, “Jesus is just a crutch,” it caught me by surprise and I was a little offended. But I didn’t know how to respond.
That was over thirty years ago and I hadn’t thought about it since then until recently when I heard someone say it again. I felt my heart drop with sadness at the realization that some people really believe this about Jesus. Because I’ve always viewed a crutch as a negative thing.
The other night when I woke up in the wee hours and I was talking to Jesus about crutches and how some view Him as one, I felt relief as He began revealing the truth of it to me.
1 Corinthians 8:6 (The Voice) says, “For us there is one God, the Father who is the ultimate source of all things…”
I thought about the different types of crutches people use …
Sadly, most of them provide a route to unhealthy outcomes. Using food as a crutch leads to obesity and to many health issues including Diabetes. Several of my family members fight with this illness. Drugs and alcohol cause personality changes and usher in addictions that are impossible for some to ever conquer. Too much television, internet browsing, and video games can cause laziness of the brain.
In the past, shopping was a crutch for me. Whenever I felt heartbroken or troubled, I’d shop and it did make me feel better for a time. It was fun to get home and go through my bags and put everything in its rightful place.
I’d fluff up the new pillows, put them on the couch, stand back and look at them, give a contented sigh and say out loud, “You sure look pretty.“
Yes, something that simple could make me happy …
But time would go by, the uneasiness would return and I would have to shop again. It became an addiction that led to wasting too much money. (Another unhealthy outcome.)
As I searched out the definition of the word ‘crutch’, I found the Merriam Webster Dictionary says “It is a source or means of support or assistance that is relied on heavily or excessively.”
According to Wiktionary “It’s something that supports, often used negatively to indicate it is not needed (shouldn’t need it) and causes an unhealthful dependency.“
I continued thinking about Jesus being a crutch and the truth became clear as I realized that He indeed is one.
He is a means of support that I rely on heavily (steadily, deliberately, tremendously, completely) and excessively (extremely, exceptionally, without restraint, without reserve) on. I lean on him. Cannot walk without him. I totally depend on him.
“As a believer in Christ I know that apart from Him I can do nothing.” John 15:5
The incredible difference between Jesus and every other crutch is this: He is the only crutch that doesn’t cause an unhealthy dependency. Our dependency on Jesus always leads to life. He gives us the specific help we need when we need it.
The difference between Jesus and other 'crutches' is He doesn't cause an unhealthy dependency. Depending on Jesus leads to life. Click To TweetPsalm 121:1-2 NIV says: “I lift my eyes up to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”
This verse right here …
Our help comes from the Lord! Jesus will lead us away from all the crutches that cause us harm, if we let Him. We just need to learn to lean on Him. Now that I no longer view ‘crutch’ negatively, I know how to respond next time someone says Jesus is just a crutch.
Psalm 16:2 says: “I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord. Every good thing I have comes from you.”
Why choose any crutch other than the One Who gave His life for you?
The One Who loves you unconditionally with an everlasting love? One who extends grace and mercy daily all throughout the day? Who never gives up on you?
The One who doesn’t leave you in debt, fighting obesity, sick with hangovers, never satisfied and always longing for more?
Jesus isn’t ‘just’ a crutch. He is so much more!
Jesus is the Savior of the world. He is my Savior. He’s Savior for any and all who want Him.
In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “Now pay attention; I Am standing at the door and knocking. If any of you hear My voice and open the door, Then I will come in to visit with you and to share a meal at your table, and you will be with Me.” (Verse on Bible Hub)
It’s worth repeating … Jesus is Savior to any and all who want Him and He is the best crutch you’ll ever rely on.
God Bless You,
Is Jesus a crutch? @ freshgracefortoday.com
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Love this! Yes, Jesus is certainly my “crutch” in that I lean on him completely and sometimes it even seems to me excessively. But don’t you love how it’s never excessive to him? We can’t wear him out and he never grows tired of us. Praise the Lord!
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Yes Jesus is a good dependency much more of a friend than a crutch.
He’s much more of a friend to me too. Thanks Sandra!💗
Excellent article and great explanation of how “crutch” can be interpreted as both negative and positive, but God will always be the positive crutch! Great work!
Thank you, LeeAnn, for your uplifting words! Yes, God will always be the positive crutch.💗
I’ve heard that “Jesus is just a crutch” before and took offense in the indication that Christians are weak. I also took it to mean that the blessing of grace and promise of forgiveness is used as a free pass. Clearly, those with a true relationship with Jesus are doing so by choice and don’t take that grace for granted! Thanks for explaining this so well! The Scriptures give great support for turning something meant for harm into a real conversation full of grace. ❤️
You’re right. We don’t take Jesus’ grace for granted. He paid too big of a price to show His love for each one of us.💗
Thank you for your encouraging words, Rachel.💗
I have heard non-christians say Jesus is a crutch before. Your explanation is spot on! You’ve equipped me with the words to use the next time I’m faced with this resction.
Thanks for clarifying that, Summer! It has only been non-christains who have said, ‘Jesus is a crutch,’ to me as well. I’m grateful you’re equipped with the words to use next time you hear it. God is good!💗
What an awesome crutch he is! He truly is our support that we ask Christians can trust and rely on. I’ve tried using myself as a crutch and other people. They have failed me time and time again. Jesus is the only sure thing to rely on.
I’ve tried using other people for a crutch too. Like with you, it didn’t work. I’ve had to learn that Jesus is the only one we can rely on and by using others as a crutch, I not only harmed myself but harmed them as well. They were never meant to have that role. Thank you Ej!💗
Wow I’ve never thought about it this way! Jesus is the only crutch we should use because He’s the only one that will never fail us.
I agree! I’m so thankful He will never fail us.💗
If a crutch is something or someone we use for support, then Jesus is the perfect support!
He sure is! 💗 Thanks Susan!
I too have heard the comment that we just use Jesus as a crutch and felt the negative connotation. Thank you for this inspiring new look – I will forever see this comment in a new light and have a great explanation of why He is indeed, the best crutch to use!
Thanks AnnMarie! I’m so blessed you see the comment, ‘Jesus is a crutch’ in a new light and will be able to give an explanation next time you hear it.💗
Amen! Jesus can be my crutch any day! I would truly be limping around without His amazing grace!
I would be limping around without His grace too, Erin. Thank you. 💗
I LOVE this! What a great way to look at the definition of a crutch. I also have also viewed that as a negative thing, but what an accurate description it actually is. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Jordan!💗
I have had this thought as well. I am happy that I can depend on God heavily and He never lets me down or brings me down a path of destruction.
Me too, Anne! So thankful we can completely depend on Him.💗
I loved this perspective! Jesus is the best crutch one could have. He is my saviour, friend, Lord and so much more.
Thank you, Shanique! Jesus is our all, isn’t He?💗
Well, maybe He is, I sure have to lean on Him, staff is better.
Hi Rebecca, I lean on Him too.💗
I absolutely love this perspective!
So often we hear things like, “Jesus is a crutch” said with negative intentions, and we quickly want to come to His defense. But as you were so wise to observe, it is often not the “insult” that is the problem, but the heart of the one who said it.
I love that you took the time to process it, and came around to realize, yeah! He is indeed a crutch, and I will lean into Him for all my days! What a beautiful realization. I need Him too. I need Him with everything that I am, and I am SO THANKFUL that He has given Himself to me so freely so I can depend on Him for my everything!
Thank-you Susan for this beautiful, thought provoking, heart-challenging piece! I loved it!
Thank you Cherith! I am so thankful too that Jesus gave Himself to me and that He opened my blind eyes to see the truth. He is my everything.💗💗 God bless you.
I love this post! I love how you took a different approach on a “crutch” and showed how Jesus is a crutch we can lean on for help and assistance! If Jesus is a crutch then I will happily lean on Him!!
Thank you Diane! I will happily lean on Jesus too. He can be trusted completely. 💗
I agree! Love your take on Jesus as a crutch. He is and so much more, as you said! He is my crutch too. Because Jesus didn’t come for the healthy, he came for the broken. He is also the doctor! He heals and restored, and wants us to lean on him. I’m grateful to have Jesus to lean on in my brokenness. ❤️
I love how you turned the whole ‘is Jesus a crutch’ question on its head! Thank you!
Thank you! Your encouragement blesses me. 💗
I’ve heard this phrase too or even similar. I love how you’ve explained this so well with wisdom and with grace! I almost can’t wait until I hear it said again so I have fresh perspective to share with them!
I couldn’t help but smile after reading your comment. I look forward to the next time I hear it too. Believing God will use it to open blind eyes. 💗 Thank you, April!
I call it being sober-minded. I love shopping and food. I know I am doing well when my focus is on Jesus and not new things or sugar. I can only stay sober with my mind on Jesus. Thank you for this post!
Thank you! I love that … sober minded. So true we can only stay sober if we keep our minds on Jesus. He is our strength. 💗
Amen and amen! Jesus is a crutch. One I desperately need!
Hi Heather, Jesus is the crutch I desperately need too. 💗
I love this post. Jesus is my crutch and more forever. This is the first time I heard crutch.
Thank you Ogochukwu! Jesus is the best crutch.💗💗
Wow Susan. This is amazing! I have heard that phrase numerous times myself and like you my jaw dropped too. This states if better than I EVER could…Jesus isn’t ‘just’ a crutch. He is so much more. Jesus is the Savior of the world. He is my Savior. He’s Savior to any and all who want Him. God Bless You and thanks for sharing
Thank you Angie! God bless you too.💗 He’s so awesome!
Thank you Susan I have also heard people say this .. I love how you broke it down that he is truly our crutch and a wonderful crutch He is. I so lean on Him in all i do. Love you my Jesus sister
Hi Vickie! Thank you! I lean on him thoroughly as well. Love you too 💗
I have heard that same statement about Jesus being a crutch and I love how you countered it with the truth. He is the healthiest crutch you could ever lean on.
Thank you Fleda! I pray more will learn this truth.💗
It takes humility to accept the truth sometimes. The purpose and fulfilment we seek can only be found in God. Thanks for this reminder. Many blessings to you!
I love how you answered this. I have heard this phrase before and I am like, yesssss! He is the crutch, He is the healer, He is the one that carries me, He is all! I love your answer about how He gives life!
Thank you Jessie! Your response made me smile thoroughly. Jesus is awesome!💗
I saw one time where someone wrote on Facebook, “Religion is for the weak.” At first I was like you … taken back by the comment. But it’s actually true. ❤ Only those who ‘know their need’ will come to Jesus. The self righteous will never come to Him because they don’t think they need Him. Beautiful and thought evoking post Susan. 😘😘😘
Thank you Donna! It’s heartbreaking to know some people don’t think they need Jesus. I’m thankful I do need him.💗